I was drawn to the field of surgery after seeing firsthand the impacts a surgeon can have on a patient's life. When I was a sophomore in college, my father required emergency heart bypass surgery. I saw the immediate and enduring impacts his surgeons had not just on his life but on the lives of everyone in our family. I wanted an opportunity to make a similar impact, so I became a surgeon as well. \n As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I am able to help not only my patients but other surgeons as well. The field of plastic surgery allows for creative problem-solving; rather than using one particular approach to problems, I have worked diligently to allow my techniques to evolve over time. My patients benefit from my interest in the intersection of techniques and technology. Throughout my career, I have evaluated and incorporated new technologies into the care I provide. This has allowed me and other plastic surgeons to develop and improve surgical techniques. This evolution has kept me fascinated in my field and allowed me to continually improve the care offered to my patients. \n My wife, a urologic surgeon, and I share two adult children, neither of whom is interested in medicine. We love calling the North Carolina coast home, and enjoy spending time surfing, hiking, fishing and playing tennis - albeit poorly! We travel frequently to Lisbon, Portugal, a place we love and consider a second home.